Blue Dot Double IPA

Blue Dot Double IPA is a vintaged ale released by Portland’s Hair of the Dog Brewing, and has garnered all sorts of acclaim. The bottle I had, which I picked up around Christmastime, read "Spring 2007" and it says on the label "Double India Pale Ale." So it’s of the infamous "Double" or "Imperial" IPA style, though at 7% alcohol it’s not as strong as some of those Imperial IPA monsters floating around.

Interestingly, HotD uses rye malt in this beer. Rye can add a refreshing, spicy character to the beer, though it’s not something you’d usually see in an American IPA. That’s Hair of the Dog for you—always doing something interesting.